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Resolved Encrypt disk/partition with app & password on USB

Discussion in 'Security and Privacy' started by rsinfo, 2012/01/13.

  1. 2012/01/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    One of my clients has a unique problem. He shares a laptop with his secretary & 2 other persons. He has some files which he wants to share only with his secretary & not with other 2 persons.

    Is there any utility out there where he could encrypt a partition & access by plugging in a USB drive which has the program & password to access it ? He needs to mount it as a drive so that applications can read/write on it.
     
    rsinfo,
    #1
  2. 2012/01/13
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Couldn't he put the files on the USB drive and share it that way?
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  4. 2012/01/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    He is already doing that, but 2 of his USB drives just popped off.
     
    rsinfo,
    #3
  5. 2012/01/13
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Popped Off as in broke?
    Would those have been the same drives he wanted to store the password info on?!?!?
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #4
  6. 2012/01/13
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    The most simple way is to give each their own (Windows) user account & then use NTFS access restrictions.

    Which OS is involved?
     
    Arie,
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  7. 2012/01/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    An alternative is to use TrueCrypt and place the files in an encrypted folder and let only those who are authorised to use the files know the password. Read/write is not an issue as the data is encrypted/decrypted on the fly.

    I use this method on my laptop and netbook so that the contents of my Data drive on the Desktop are protected (encrypted) on the laptop or netbook and essentially inacessible should either fall into the wrong hands.

    Prior to taking either the laptop or netbook away from home I make an incremental backup from the Desktop to one or the other. If any data is changed while I am away the process is reversed on my return - I use SynchBackSE for this operation.
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2012/01/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    Yes. They are not readable anymore.

    Not necessarily. A fresh USB drive is a cheaper & better option.
     
    rsinfo,
    #7
  9. 2012/01/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    I agree there Arie. But he is the MD/CEO & desists selecting accounts/typing passwords. And on top of that most of the things are shared between all 4 users.

    The OS is Win7 Professional.
     
    rsinfo,
    #8
  10. 2012/01/13
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    PeteC, encryption is required in this case but he wants both the application & password to be stored on USB drive, so that he can control the access to it. According to him, the password can be broken/told to someone else.
     
    rsinfo,
    #9
  11. 2012/01/14
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    SpywareDr,
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  12. 2012/01/14
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    SpywareDr, he needs something to encrypt partition/folders on his hard disk & to be able to access it ONLY after plugging in the USB drive AND giving the password.
     
    rsinfo,
    #11
  13. 2012/01/15
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    SpywareDr,
    #12
    rsinfo likes this.
  14. 2012/01/15
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    Thanks SpywareDr. I think that's what the doctor ordered :D
     
    rsinfo,
    #13
  15. 2012/01/16
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    :) You're welcome.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #14
  16. 2012/01/18
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    You should be able to use TrueCrypt for what you want to do:
    Create a Portable Version of TrueCrypt – Part II

    Basically, you create the thumb drive version and during the process you create a virtual drive which is only accessible via the portable version. As far as I can tell, the encrypted files are actually on a disk partition, unlocked by using the thumb drive.

    If want a reliable thumb drive to do everything, then consider IronKey. I have a client whose firm requires them. (they get used a lot here is Wash, DC area)
     
    TonyT,
    #15
  17. 2012/01/18
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni Thread Starter

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    Thanks for all the suggestions.

    I have proposed BitLocker to my client & he has agreed to go for it.

    I am marking this thread "Resolved ".
     
    rsinfo,
    #16

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